QT- Lawnmower Blenny

ChelseaBidwell · Nov 4, 2019

We received our LMB along with a Melanurus Wrasse, Blue-Sided Fairy Wrasse, and a BABY Scissortail Dartfish. We always QT new fish using @HotRocks QT process (2.0ppm/Cu, Gc, Kana). I've seen this question a lot, but I am going to ask for advice anyway. Lol
I put a rock from our sump that had a ton of algae on it into the QT for the LMB to have a food source. He refused our chili (BRS DIY fish food - nori, squid, shrimp, tuna, pellets, supplements, etc). He's eaten MAYBE 3 algae wafers I threw in there, and has eaten all the algae off of the rock. I don't want to start taking rock from my DT. My question is, if I throw new rock in the sump, how long do you think it would take to get a significant amount of algae on it to feed my LMB? Are there any other options besides algae wafers, nori (he refuses), and new rock? Stupid question, I know. I just don't want him to starve. He will be in QT for about a total of 40 days. It's only been 6 days into the process and he's devoured the algae on the only rock I had available. It's not like I can grow algae in the QT since we are dosing Copper Power. I should have thought this through and prepared better before getting him.

AllSignsPointToFish · Nov 4, 2019

Have you tried enticing him to eat the nori by saturating it with garlic?

With respect to the hair algae, that all depends on the nutrients available in your system. Do you have any fellow reefers that have some GHA they can spare? Maybe you could use that to feed him until you get him eating typical captive foods?

AllSignsPointToFish · Nov 4, 2019

Also, I assume you've only tried the green nori? Have you tried the red or purple sheet algae? Maybe he has a taste for colored veggies

ChelseaBidwell · Nov 4, 2019

Not anywhere near me. The algae that was on the rock was GHA. We have a little in the system, but it's not terrible. I just didn't know how long it would take to grow some to put in the QT. We haven't fed with garlic before, but if it'll get him to eat, I am willing to try anything! I'll go pick some up today.

ChelseaBidwell · Nov 4, 2019

AllSignsPointToFish said:
Also, I assume you've only tried the green nori? Have you tried the red or purple sheet algae? Maybe he has a taste for colored veggies

Yea, BRS' recipe had green nori. I'll grab some of those while I am out also. Thank you, I didn't even think of that!

mike550 · Nov 4, 2019

Chelsea. I’ll be adding a LMB to my tank and also plan to QT. Is your QT bare bottom or did you place sand in it?

I know ... people say the sand bottom absorbs copper etc. Have also heard that aragonite doesn’t absorb.

Thanks in advance.

ChelseaBidwell · Nov 4, 2019

mike550 said:
Chelsea. I’ll be adding a LMB to my tank and also plan to QT. Is your QT bare bottom or did you place sand in it?

I know ... people say the sand bottom absorbs copper etc. Have also heard that aragonite doesn’t absorb.

Thanks in advance.

We added sand to QT these fish in particular (Melanarus/BSF Wrasses) as they hide in the sand and sleep in it at night. But normally, no we do not add sand. It makes the WCs a pain in the butt because you have to siphon it and it clouds the water SUPER bad. And it does absorb the Cu. I would advise against it unless it's absolutely needed for the fish (such as in my case).

Malifry97 · Nov 4, 2019

ChelseaBidwell said:
Not anywhere near me. The algae that was on the rock was GHA. We have a little in the system, but it's not terrible. I just didn't know how long it would take to grow some to put in the QT. We haven't fed with garlic before, but if it'll get him to eat, I am willing to try anything! I'll go pick some up today.

Seachems garlic guard is a great product

ChelseaBidwell · Nov 4, 2019

ChelseaBidwell said:
We added sand to QT these fish in particular (Melanarus/BSF Wrasses) as they hide in the sand and sleep in it at night. I think the LMB would benefit from it also. But normally, no we do not add sand. It makes the WCs a pain in the butt because you have to siphon it and it clouds the water SUPER bad. And it does absorb the Cu. I would advise against it unless it's absolutely needed for the fish (such as in my case).

ChelseaBidwell · Nov 4, 2019

Malifry97 said:
Seachems garlic guard is a great product

I'll look for it!

Malifry97 · Nov 4, 2019

ChelseaBidwell said:
I'll look for it!

Cool!

artieg1 · Nov 4, 2019

Yeah, I wouldn't ruin more rock by putting it in QT. If he's eating like that in QT, he will eat algae wafers and other green prepared foods or nori, eventually, I would expect.

VR28man · Nov 5, 2019

What is his stomach like? If it's bulging, he's fine. Also, if he's eaten 3 wafers (and a rock full of algae!) in 3 days, I think he's fine. I'd just throw in wafers, honestly, if it were me.

IME (1 LMB),it took a while for him to come out of hiding, but there was ample food for him and when i saw him his belly was bulging (almost like a gravid female guppy), so I was not worried. After going into the DT, he had plenty of GHA to eat and his belly was constantly full.

But, it took a while for him to be somewhat comfortable when I was near an aquarium (a month or so). It was also several months before he would come out and eat (non veggie) food with the rest of the fish (LRS reef frenzy, SF Bay marine cuisine, freeze dried mysis and petco slow sinking mini pellets). But now he's almost active as my royal gramma (and maybe about 1/4 as active as my lemon damsel - i.e. pretty durn active ) during feeding time.

ChelseaBidwell · Nov 5, 2019

VR28man said:
What is his stomach like? If it's bulging, he's fine. Also, if he's eaten 3 wafers (and a rock full of algae!) in 3 days, I think he's fine. I'd just throw in wafers, honestly, if it were me.

IME (1 LMB),it took a while for him to come out of hiding, but there was ample food for him and when i saw him his belly was bulging (almost like a gravid female guppy), so I was not worried. After going into the DT, he had plenty of GHA to eat and his belly was constantly full.

But, it took a while for him to be somewhat comfortable when I was near an aquarium (a month or so). It was also several months before he would come out and eat (non veggie) food with the rest of the fish (LRS reef frenzy, SF Bay marine cuisine, freeze dried mysis and petco slow sinking mini pellets). But now he's almost active as my royal gramma (and maybe about 1/4 as active as my lemon damsel - i.e. pretty durn active ) during feeding time.

This is very helpful! I haven't really been able to get a good look at him. He stays hidden between the pvc elbow and the rock. When I do see him, I'll make sure to pay attention to his belly. I'll continue the wafers and I picked up some other types of nori. Hopefully he will come out soon!